Sabrina Ionescu labelled New York Liberty team-mate Breanna Stewart "a walking mismatch" after her stunning performance against the Minnesota Lynx in the play-offs.

The Liberty stunned the top seed 91-75 in the first game of the best-of-three series thanks to Stewart's 34 points, while she also contributed with 12 rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks.

Stewart became the second player in WNBA history to lead or co-lead her team in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks in a play-off game, while she is also the fourth player in league history to finish with at least 30 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in a play-off game.

Ionescu, who added 13 points and six assists, praised the impact of the forward.

"[Stewart's] ability to post up: she's a walking mismatch, so we're able to just look for her," said Ionescu.

"And obviously, whatever they take away, we have a counter. So, whether it's inside, just trying to stay spaced, find the 3-point line. I also think we just took really good shots."

Speaking on her own performance, Stewart added: "I think I was just really ready. I mean, if you don't get up for these big moments, then you've got to rethink why you're playing basketball,"

"But for myself, mentally, I was just ready to do whatever it took to lead the team and get the win today. And my teammates found me and got me good looks at the basket, so I just wanted to keep going."

She’s just cut from a different cloth  https://t.co/t5AsyvODNr pic.twitter.com/FrHonnAXIr

— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) September 27, 2026

New York's win puts huge pressure on Minnesota, who are 0-3 in franchise history and 0-2 under Cheryl Reeve when they lose the first game in a best-of-three play-off series.

However, after squandering a 1-0 lead in the play-offs against the Phoenix Mercury last season, Stewart has warned her team-mates to stay focused.

"We did this in Phoenix and then we got smoked on our home court," Stewart said.

"So being really intentional for the adjustments we're going to make.

"Obviously, we had a ton of turnovers [19] and want to be better in that area, but we're going to just have to have the same steadiness that we had for today; we're going to do that on Tuesday."